CAB - Agricultural Safety Resource Guide: 4

- Research Publications -

Agricultural Safety Resource Guide

4 - ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Introduction

Electrical injuries account for more than $50 million in medical expenses and lost time injuries annually in California. These injuries range anywhere from minor shock to death, depending on the voltage affecting the victim. Electrical injuries are considered among the most preventable of job injuries, but prevention requires a knowledge of electrical current.

Electrical wiring, fixtures, and equipment can be extremely hazardous. Electricity travels over conductors, which is anything that allows electricity to flow. Electricity always tries to reach ground level, which is why people, water, damp floors, or metal make excellent con-ductors. An "insulator" is the opposite of a conductor. Electricity cannot flow easily through insulators such as plastic, rubber boots, dry wood, or glass.

Static electricity is the leading cause of serious job-related injury. In most jobs, the use of insulating boots, along with the grounding of metal containers, is mandatory protocol for OSHA standards. The use of these simple and inexpensive devices can make the difference between a non-injury situation and possible death.

Proper wiring

All new, permanent, or temporary electrical installations, or replacement modifications of any electrical equipment, must be made in compliance with the requirements of the National Electrical Code (NECK) of the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Electrical power distribution systems must be equipped with overcurrent protection such as fuses or circuit breakers which must never exceed the rated capacity of the circuit.

Grounding

Grounding eliminates the difference in electrical potential between a conductive object and the ground by connecting them. Grounding will protect you from electrical shock by providing a path which offers less resistance to the current than you do.

Lockout

Before starting work on any system or circuit, it is your responsibility to make a personal inspection to assure yourself that it is de-energized. Opening a switch is not enough! To assure that all appropriate systems are isolated it is necessary that all possible sources of power be investigated and de-energized. OSHA requires that all appropriate disconnecting switches be locked open and tagged with the name of the individual responsible.

Rules and regulations

California Labor Code 2305.1 Electrical Safety Order. (CCR) The purpose of the electrical safety order is to provide minimum safety requirements and assist in the elimination of accidents which may result from the operation, installation, removal, use or maintenance of electrical equipment.

California Labor Code 2320.1 General.
  (a) Only qualified persons shall work on electrical systems or equipment.
  (b) Only qualified persons shall be permitted to perform any function in proximity to energized overhead conductors unless accidental contact has been suitably guarded against.

Other California Labor Codes. (CCR)
  2320.3   Tests
  2320.4   De-energized equipment or systems
  2320.6   Accident prevention tags
  2320.7   Safety precautions
  2946.    Provisions for preventing accidents due to proximity to overhead lines.

Related articles and journals

American Family Physician. "Evaluation and management of electrical injuries." April 1992, v. 53 pp. 1827-40.

American Family Physician. "Household electrical injuries." Oct. 14, 1988, v. 260. June 1989 v. 39 pp. 319.

JAMA. "Electrical Injuries." Oct.14, 1989, v. 260, pp. 2119.

Training materials

Cal/OSHA - Identifying hazards in the workplace (booklet).

Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Southern California Edison - Electrical utility companies have pamphlets and other training resources available on electrical safety.

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